Reduced Graphene Oxide-Zinc Oxide Flower-Like Composite for Glass-Ionomer Materials Reinforcement

Composites based on graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) with different mass ratios (8, 100 and 600) were synthesized through the hydrothermal method at 100 °C and used as reinforcement materials to commercial glass-ionomers cements (GIC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization confirmed the graphite oxidation and ZnO formation as a wurtzite phase. Infrared spectroscopy analyses showed bands of oxygen-containing groups on the GO surface, which reduced after thermal treatment and RGO formation. D and G bands were observed in all samples synthesized, which presented morphology similar to flowers with a crystallite size of 18 nm. The effect on the mechanical properties of GIC after reinforcement with 0.1 wt% of RGO and 3 wt% of the composites was evaluated using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). It was verified slight improvements in the hardness of GIC.

Keywords:
Reduced graphene oxide; ZnO composites; glass-ionomer cement; mechanical properties; physicochemical characterization